When it comes to spawning new companies, a clique of universities has long topped the lists: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, and the 10-campus University of California system. Their dominance seems almost preordained. These schools are in high-tech communities brimming with scientific brainiacs and risk-taking investors. They boast labs and equipment that only the biggest budgets can afford. They have worldwide name recognition. Now, against all odds, the University of Florida is joining their ranks.
